Expert: Paul Wagner - 9/7/2008

Question
September 7, 2008. I have a frosted green bottle (unopend) of Napoleon Cognac Fine Champagne Courvoisier 97 with the imprint Nombre Limite and the number GU8329 inside the circle. The bottle neck has the label marked by appointment to the late King George VI. The label also  has the imprint 1 U.S. quart.  I have probably had this particular unopened bottle for 40 years, but I am not cdertain. Can you tell me anything about it?  Will it still be good? How much is it worth?  Many thanks.

Answer
HI Anthony

I think your bottle is older than that!  Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1952, so this bottle was produced before then, I am pretty sure.  

Distilled spirits like this have such high alcohol levels that they don't change much over time.  That means that your bottle should be just fine to drink, but it also means that it hasn't improved with age the way some fine wines do.  The result is that you won't be able to sell this for much more than a current bottling.  It's good stuff, but I don't think it would sell for more than about $150, at most---and only if you can really show that it hasn't been damaged or diluted in any way.  

It is illegal for private individuals to sell alcoholic beverages in the USA, so you have to work through an auction house or wine shop. They will, in turn, ask for a commission.

You might check with the folks at antiquebottles.com--they know more about the actual bottles and boxes than I do, and one this old might be worth more than the liquid inside.  

Sorry I can't give you more exciting news.

Paul Wagner